Renowned Celebrity Chefs Team with Rising Stars from Le Cordon Bleu in a Live Grill-Off Presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred at 2013 Vegas Uncork‘d by Bon Appétit

Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge Pairs Celebrity Chefs Akira Back and Todd English with Two Aspiring Culinary Students for a chance to win a $20,000 Scholarship Fund

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Chase Sapphire Preferred^®, a premier travel rewards card from Chase, in partnership with Bon Appétit will host the Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge, taking place on Saturday, May 11, at 8:45 p.m., during Bellagio’s Block Party at the seventh annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit. Award-winning Las Vegas chefs Akira Back and Todd English will partner with two up-and-coming culinary students from the local Las Vegas Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in a live grilling challenge. The winning team will receive $20,000, presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred to help fund the student’s culinary education and dream of becoming a world-class chef. An additional $5,000 will be presented to the runner-up.

The cooking challenge puts grilling skills to the test as celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, Akira Back, executive chef of Yellowtail Japanese & Lounge Restaurant at the Bellagio, and Todd English, chef, Olives Bellagio, battle live on-stage to create the ultimate barbecue feast.

“I am thrilled to participate in the Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge to help fund a local culinary student’s schooling,” said Todd English, chef, Olives Bellagio. “Vegas Uncork‘d is the perfect stage for a live grilling challenge that supports the next generation of Las Vegas culinary talent.”

Two talented students from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Las Vegas will be given the opportunity to participate as sous chefs during the event. Starting April 9, students can submit a video via Vine, a mobile app by Twitter, using the hashtag #GrillChallenge and provide a short essay to Bon Appétit. Students can share their story and illustrate why they deserve to compete for a chance to win the title and $20,000 from Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Bon Appétit restaurant and spirits editor, Andrew Knowlton, will serve as emcee and head judge for the event, while Robin Leach, entertainment and celebrity reporter, and a Chase Sapphire cardholder will also judge the chefs culinary creations and select the winners.

The event is part of a week-long food, wine and spirits festival presented by Bon Appétit and the city of Las

From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/11/renowned-celebrity-chefs-team-with-rising-stars-fr/